Session Proposal Options
Proposals are accepted from APA members only
Allied professionals are welcome to partner with members to submit proposals or to join the organization. This change will help shape proposals to meet the needs and concerns of members.
Session Proposals
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
APA members are invited to propose a complete session. The session proposer has full control of the speakers and the session topic. If selected, you will be responsible for confirming speakers, creating the content of the session, assigning a session organizer, and ensuring that the session is appropriately implemented.
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Sessions are 75 minutes in length and take place starting Saturday through Wednesday.
One-half of the conference program is devoted to proposals submitted by volunteers. The other half of the program comprises symposia, training workshops, division sessions, Local Host Committee sessions, and special APA research and policy initiatives. The competition for the volunteer sessions/general submissions is heavy, and approximately one in three proposals is selected.
Submit a conference session proposal
Poster Display (General & Student)
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
Student Deadline: October 10, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
Poster displays highlight individual presentations on planning research, case studies, and planning projects. The mounted posters are displayed in the exhibit hall Saturday through Monday, with a special time on Monday for informal discussion with attendees. Please note that this schedule may change.
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APA members are invited to submit a poster presentation proposal. Student members of APA are invited to submit student poster proposals, and they are reviewed separately. All posters are displayed in the exhibit hall Saturday through Monday, with a special time on Sunday for poster presentations.
Guidelines
Posters must be shaped for a planner and planning official audience. Here are some important tips:
- Posters are educational and cannot be a promotion of a product, service, or organization.
- Posters will focus on research, a case study, project, or program.
- Posters are an ideal venue for single presenters or planning research.
Poster Proposals include:
- Proposed Title
- Topic
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- General Description
- What will people take back to their own community?
- Names of additional poster participants
Propose a poster (non-students)
Propose a student poster
Student Capstone Presentations
Student Deadline: October 10, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
Students are invited to share their semester long work using the same format as the Fast, Funny, and Passionate presentations. Capstone projects, and other detailed planning related research and work are appropriate for this format. Each presentation is 7 minutes long, with no more than 21 slides total. Slides are automatically timed and the complete presentation can last no more than 7 minutes. The format requires a well-conceived presentation, good visuals, and a great deal of rehearsal. A sense of humor helps too!
Submit a Capstone proposal
Fast, Funny, and Passionate Planning Presentations
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
These presentations are only 7 minutes long and only use 21 slides. They are typically based on personal projects or short visual essays. Slides are automatically timed and presentations can only last 7 minutes. The format requires a well-conceived presentation, good visuals, and a great deal of rehearsal. A sense of humor helps too!
Submit a "Fast, Funny, and Passionate" proposal
Daylong Forum
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
New for 2013 APA is hosting a variety day-long forums consisting of in depth sessions and conversations revolving around a specific theme. To learn about the focus of each of the forums, click here.
Submit a "Daylong Forum" proposal
APA Learning Theater
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
Launch new project applications by demonstrating your products and software applications in these 30-minute presentations offered on Sunday only. The learning theater may be reserved in 30-minute blocks near the exhibit hall. The area will be equipped with theater seating for 30-40, a screen and projector. Certain product/software demonstrations may be eligible for educational credits for attendees. Additional A/V or other hands-on equipment may be arranged at the sponsor's expense.
This is a $1,000 sponsorship opportunity available to commercial companies, government agencies, university research institutions, and other nonprofits.
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The APA Learning Theatre consists of demonstrations and discussions regarding software, project applications, and case studies of visioning software, databases, GIS, engagement, and other planning information technology.
Eligibility to Submit for the APA Learning Theatre
These presentations are open to commercial companies and APA members who are staff of government agencies, university research institutions, and nonprofits. For information on becoming a sponsor and to review sponsor benefits, click here. Presentations are eligible to apply for educational, "CM" credit based on what will be demonstrated. Requests for credit can be selected when submitting an application for an APA Learning Theater session.
The APA Learning Theatre must be shaped for a planner and planning official audience. Here are some important tips:
- Presentations are educational and not simply a promotion of a product or service.
- Presentations will demonstrate how the technology can be used in communities.
- Presentations should include an assessment of software, etc., in terms of challenges and advantages.
- Familiarize yourself with the APA and the work of planners before you submit; study the APA website.
Learning Theatre proposals include:
- Proposed Title
- Topic
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- General Description
- Software of application to be demonstrated
- What information will people take back to their own community?
- Names of expected speakers
Submit a learning theatre proposal
Training Workshops
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
These full day training workshops or half day Deep Dive sessions provide practical skill development for planners and officials as they perform their jobs. Workshops incorporate lectures, hands-on experience, extensive interaction, and useful resources for participants. Deep Dive sessions should be interactive and provide more education depth than a typical session.
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Training workshops are either full-day (8 hours) or half-day (4 hours) programs. Training workshops provide practical skill development for planners and officials as they perform their jobs. Workshops incorporate lectures, hands-on experience such as exercises, extensive interaction, and useful resources for participants. The competition for these workshops is strong.
Selection criteria includes:
- Overall quality
- Well-defined focus
- Timeliness of topic
- Relevance to the planning profession
- Practical application of material
- Presentation skill of the proposed speaker(s)
- Applicability to a national audience
- Quality of written proposal
- Experience as a workshop leader
Workshops must be shaped for a planner or a planning official audience. Here are some important tips:
- Workshops are educational and cannot be a promotion of a product, service, or organization. Familiarize yourself with APA and the work of planners before you submit; study the APA website. Workshops must provide enough depth for attendees to act upon the instruction.
- Workshops will focus on skill building and address topics in which there are well-developed case studies and experience from which to draw lessons. Workshops incorporate active learning. Prepare the description of the proposal in a word processing file first. Put effort into the proposal. Edit the description carefully. After you have edited the proposal, cut and paste the description into the proposal form.
- How well your proposal is written strongly influences the selection committee. The more thought you put into the proposal up front, the smoother the process of pulling your workshop together will be. Again, be certain to review and edit your written proposal. It may be helpful to have someone else look it over to make certain your ideas are expressed clearly.
Prepare the description of the proposal in a word processing file first. Put effort into the proposal. Edit the description carefully. After you have edited the proposal, cut and paste the description into the proposal form.
Training Workshop proposals include:
- Proposed Title
- Topic
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- General Description
- Case Studies
- Skill or knowledge acquired by attendees
- Description of handouts
- What will people take back to their own community?
- Names of expected speakers
Submit a training workshop proposal
Facilitated Discussions
Deadline: August 20, 2013, 5 p.m. (CT)
Facilitated discussions allow for informal, more intensive discussion among groups of people who share ideas or have situations in common.
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Audiences for Facilitated Discussions may include: planning directors, students, new professionals, youth and planning, planning commissioners, elected officials, and appointed officials. Facilitated Discussions are not formal presentations, but interactive conversations among attendees.
| Planning Commissioner Facilitated Discussion Example |
Regulating Design for Density
How do you include design guidelines in regulations to ensure context appropriate design for higher density development? How do you avoid negative density discussions without a design component? How do you best use graphics and visuals to diffuse those seeking only low densities? How do you link design positively with "hard" issues such as active lifestyles and economic development and avoid "soft" issue linkages, such as charges of frivolous aesthetics regulation?
| Private Practice Facilitated Discussion Example |
Small Firm Exchange
Private Practice planners in firms of six or less are invited to this roundtable exchange. Discussion topics will focus on the concerns of small firms. Come and share your experience and hear solutions.
| Planning Commissioner, Elected Officials, and Appointed Officials Discussion Example |
Helping the Public to Understand Planning
PlanningShare your knowledge and experiences involving public education. Make your planning commission meetings and programs productive and engaging.
| New Professionals Discussion Example |
Ideals Meet Reality
Your vision for the future of society led you to the planning profession. The reality of the workplace challenges how you can implement your goals. How do you work as a planner and still act upon your principles? Share your experiences and hear from veteran planners who have successfully managed this conflict.
Submit a facilitated discussion proposal
Division Sessions
The deadline has passed.
Division members may propose a session to their division. Each division will select a session from these proposals. Any proposals not accepted by the division are reviewed with General Sessions.
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To propose a division session, select your division name where prompted on the proposal form.
Sessions are 75 minutes in length and take place Saturday through Wednesday.
One-half of the conference program is devoted to proposals submitted by volunteers. The other half of the program comprises symposia, training workshops, division sessions, Local Host Committee sessions, and special APA research and policy initiatives. The competition for the volunteer sessions/general submissions is heavy, and approximately one in three proposals is selected. If you select this option your proposal will be reviewed by the division selection committee and if not selected, it will be reviewed with the general call for proposals.
Conference Session Instructions
Complete session proposals include:
- Proposed Session Title
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- One Topic
- General description
- Outline of Session
- Case Studies
- Research
- What information will people take back to their own community?
- Names of expected speakers
Mobile Workshop
The deadline has passed.
The Local Host Committee Mobile Workshop Committee invites specific individuals and APA divisions to propose Mobile Workshops for the conference. Mobile Workshops give conference attendees an opportunity to see planning projects, both complete and in-progress, by making site visits to locations throughout the region.
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Mobile workshops incorporate multiple modes of transportation, including public transportation, bicycle, walking, jogging, boat, and motorcoach. By submitting a proposal, you agree to organize this mobile workshop, or delegate another individual to complete all preparations for this workshop. This may include, securing speakers, ordering alternative transportation (bike, canoe, trolley), purchasing snacks or lunch, and coordinating with off-site locations.
Mobile workshop proposals include:
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- General description of the workshop
- Proposed mobile workshop itinerary
- Information and skills attendees will take back to their community
- Duration of mobile workshop (in hours)
- Proposed budget of mobile workshop
- What information will people take back to their own community?
- Proposed mode of transportation
Local Host Committee Track
The deadline has passed.
The Local Host Committee creates a special track focusing on local and regional planning initiatives and programs in Atlanta.
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To propose a local host committee track session, select this track where prompted on the proposal form.
Sessions are 75 minutes in length and take place Saturday through Wednesday.
One-half of the conference program is devoted to proposals submitted by volunteers. The other half of the program comprises symposia, training workshops, division sessions, Local Host Committee sessions, and special APA research and policy initiatives. The competition for the volunteer sessions/general submissions is heavy, and approximately one in three proposals is selected. If you select this option your proposal will be reviewed by the local selection committee and if not selected, it will be reviewed with the general call for proposals.
Complete session proposals include:
- Proposed Session Title
- Two Key Learning Objectives
- One Topic
- General description
- Outline of Session
- Case Studies
- Research
- What information will people take back to their own community?
- Names of expected speakers
